Section B: A Streetcar Named Desire
Question: To explore how Williams’ makes use of confrontation in A Streetcar named desire. You must
relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.
Introduction Williams makes use of confrontation in the play to perhaps make comments on the flaws
of human nature and portray the brutality of society- whether that be through physical
acts of violation committed by Stanley, or exploration of Blanche’s psychological
confrontation of her own realities.
Point 1 Scene three marks a key moment of confrontation between male and female worlds in
the play. Using expressionism, Williams’ creates a ‘lurid’ atmosphere, whereby the men
fight the be the alpha over their female counterparts. Here, conflict between gender
stereotype is explored, as Stanley is quick to put Stella in her place when she crosses the
boundary into the male world, and poses a challenge to his dominance.
Expressionism and manipulation of colour and light: men at poker desire to
dominant assert their power. The ‘lurid nocturnal brilliance’ and ‘vivid green
glass shade’ gives a sinister presentation of the kitchen- hell like, perhaps
implying the men pose a danger and the poker night accentuates their
animalistic nature. They each ‘wear coloured shirts, solid blues, a purple… and
they are men at the peak of their physical manhood, as course and direct and
powerful as the primary colours’- clashing and bold personalities- brightness
perhaps implying they aim to gather attention of women. Could also perhaps
show not only how they pose a threat to less bold female counterparts, but
also Williams’ suggesting men are foundation of society (powerful), yet also
more simple?
Males such as Stanley initiate confrontation for means of power within
patriarchal society.
Stanley gives ‘a loud whack of his hand on [Stella’s] thigh’ ‘tosses the
instrument out of the window’- assertion of power not only over Stella but in
company of other males- asserting his supremacy in front of audience. It is
clear Stella and Blanche have walked into the heart of the masculine space
during poker night- stepped a boundary they should not have crosses as
women. Mitch reiterates this saying that ‘poker shouldn’t be played in a
house with women.’ After this violent confrontation, the women retreat to the
shadowy, feminine and less bright bedroom space (division of worlds also
shown through William’ use of setting and locations within the flat.)
Men and women different in nature- conforming to traditional roles that a
man is animalistic, powerful, dominant; woman is gentle, submissive etc.
Interesting in the world of New Orleans that is known for its progressive
attitudes, there is still a long way to go for women to break down gender
stereotypes.
Interestingly not only conflict within male and female worlds, but Williams’
presents the opposing characters of Mitch and Stanley, to represent how there
is an expectation for the gentler men like Mitch to act like the more dominant
Stanley, as even Stella conforms to this societal gender stereotype, believing
that ‘Stanley’s the only one of his crowd to get anywhere’. Stella also
conditioned to believe a man is only successful is he is dominant rather than
Question: To explore how Williams’ makes use of confrontation in A Streetcar named desire. You must
relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.
Introduction Williams makes use of confrontation in the play to perhaps make comments on the flaws
of human nature and portray the brutality of society- whether that be through physical
acts of violation committed by Stanley, or exploration of Blanche’s psychological
confrontation of her own realities.
Point 1 Scene three marks a key moment of confrontation between male and female worlds in
the play. Using expressionism, Williams’ creates a ‘lurid’ atmosphere, whereby the men
fight the be the alpha over their female counterparts. Here, conflict between gender
stereotype is explored, as Stanley is quick to put Stella in her place when she crosses the
boundary into the male world, and poses a challenge to his dominance.
Expressionism and manipulation of colour and light: men at poker desire to
dominant assert their power. The ‘lurid nocturnal brilliance’ and ‘vivid green
glass shade’ gives a sinister presentation of the kitchen- hell like, perhaps
implying the men pose a danger and the poker night accentuates their
animalistic nature. They each ‘wear coloured shirts, solid blues, a purple… and
they are men at the peak of their physical manhood, as course and direct and
powerful as the primary colours’- clashing and bold personalities- brightness
perhaps implying they aim to gather attention of women. Could also perhaps
show not only how they pose a threat to less bold female counterparts, but
also Williams’ suggesting men are foundation of society (powerful), yet also
more simple?
Males such as Stanley initiate confrontation for means of power within
patriarchal society.
Stanley gives ‘a loud whack of his hand on [Stella’s] thigh’ ‘tosses the
instrument out of the window’- assertion of power not only over Stella but in
company of other males- asserting his supremacy in front of audience. It is
clear Stella and Blanche have walked into the heart of the masculine space
during poker night- stepped a boundary they should not have crosses as
women. Mitch reiterates this saying that ‘poker shouldn’t be played in a
house with women.’ After this violent confrontation, the women retreat to the
shadowy, feminine and less bright bedroom space (division of worlds also
shown through William’ use of setting and locations within the flat.)
Men and women different in nature- conforming to traditional roles that a
man is animalistic, powerful, dominant; woman is gentle, submissive etc.
Interesting in the world of New Orleans that is known for its progressive
attitudes, there is still a long way to go for women to break down gender
stereotypes.
Interestingly not only conflict within male and female worlds, but Williams’
presents the opposing characters of Mitch and Stanley, to represent how there
is an expectation for the gentler men like Mitch to act like the more dominant
Stanley, as even Stella conforms to this societal gender stereotype, believing
that ‘Stanley’s the only one of his crowd to get anywhere’. Stella also
conditioned to believe a man is only successful is he is dominant rather than
